Exclusive Stories

Following pandemic-related postponements, The Rug Show returns to the East Coast at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey on September 14-16, 2022. As a premier industry fair, The Rug Show offers attendees a place to buy new products, meet new rug makers, learn and build connections through networking.

As sustainability becomes a defining factor in material selection, the rug industry is finding new ways to reconcile performance, design integrity, and environmental responsibility. While natural fibers like wool and jute have long been prized for their natural qualities, synthetic materials, particularly nylon, are undergoing a quiet transformation that’s reshaping their role in rug making.

Area Rug exhibitors are moving into new showrooms and displaying tons of fresh product at the fall High Point Market.

The last High Point Market came at the perfect time—right as the CDC lifted mask requirements. But masks or not, everyone knew it would be a successful market.

Even though COVID-19 restrictions are tightening across the country, the rug industry is still looking forward to a stellar fall show. There’s sure to be plenty of introductions on tap, and even new showrooms as rug exhibitors expand their offerings and aim to reach new customers.

The Digital Shift in the Rug Industry

The rug industry has long been built on tradition—handcrafted designs, deep-rooted relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals. But as consumer expectations evolve, so too must the businesses that serve them. A recent industry survey found that 70% of rug businesses still rely on manual tracking for orders or outdated legacy software, yet those that have adopted modern tools report efficiency gains of up to 40%.

In June, Tamarian Rugs left its temporary space at the Suites at Market Square and moved into its new showroom on East Russell Street. At the fall market, Ned Baker, key account manager of Tamarian, says the company will still view it as a grand opening. While no grand opening event is planned at the time of this writing, Baker says to keep an eye out as we get closer to market.

Fiber-Shield Industries, a company that makes eco-friendly rug, fabric, and carpet cleaners, is on a mission to change the way we think about cleaning.

Founded by President and Technical Director Manny Vickers and his wife, Connie, in 1979 as Future Living, the company has come a
long way on its journey to become Fiber-Shield. The proof? Manny, a chemist by trade who’s extremely hands-on with the company, recently completed his 10,000th experiment. Fiber-Shield’s emphasis has been to create environmentally compliant products, and that was its focus from day one.

In the vibrant world of rugs, where heritage meets innovation, every stakeholder—retailers, wholesalers, designers, and end-users—seeks tools that enhance their experience while preserving the artistry of woven textiles.

IVE, an Augmented Reality (AR) visualization platform from iveview.com, delivers precisely what they need.